ATX - AT Extended form factor. Referrers to a standard for motherboard configuration and layout called the ATX Motherboard Specification. The AtX power connector replaced the older standard and allows the power supply to be turned on or off by the computer itself, rather than just by a physical switch.

A duplicate copy of files or an entire hard drive. A backup of your important files should be done regularly.

The amount of data that can be transmitted along a communications channel in a fixed amount of time. Usually expressed in bits per second (bps).

A set of conditions or criteria against which a product or system is measured.

Beta versions of commercial software are work-in-progress test copies released prior to the full version. They're used to put the product through real-world tests and to ferret out bugs before the finished software hits the shelves. Betas often expire after a period of time, usually when the full version or the next beta is released.

Ball Grid Array - the method chipsets are attached to motherboards, using solder balls.

Basic Input/Output System.Software that determines what a computer can do without accessing programs. Your BIOS has the information to control the keyboard, screen, drives, serial communications, and other functions. BIOS is typically built into a ROM chip installed on the motherboard.

The order of drives that a system’s BIOS follows when looking for the operating system to boot after the computer has performed POST. This can be defined by you in your computers BIOS.

To really screw something up. Usually code. As in "Wow, you really borked that script."

High speed internet access via cable lines or ADSL phone lines.